Action Plan for Self Progression
125
biggest ongoing charity. However, if that soul itself does not act upon but starts attracting the others who start doing the same work, this act will still fetch the reward manifold. If the noble deed is that of inviting others, striving for the establishment of religion, disseminating the words of God, enactment of His restrictions (Hudood), reactivation of prophet’s (peace be upon him) ways (Sunnah), it will amount to
ﺍ ْ ﺿﻌﺎﻓًﺎ ﻣ ﻀﺎ ﻋﻔ ﺔ adding on and on to your credit and there is a good news of “La daena” adding more and yet more to it. Neither assume any virtue to be small nor any vice to be inferior but try to understand the degree of various deeds and perform accordingly. No amount of additional prayers (Nawafil) can match up a single mandatory act (Farz). Consider performance of all mandatory acts essential and at the peak of all such acts is struggling in the path of God (Jehaad fi Sabeelillah). Do not fall victim in Satan’s trap by restricting to work only for the smaller gains of the religion and neglecting the bigger ones; at the same time do not be deceived by getting involved in the means and losing sight of the end. This attitude develops due to a false assumption that we are improving our performance now to achieve the objective later for which time will never be available again; yet another misgiving is that we will commence the work after first reforming ourselves; or we shall embark upon after having acquired the knowledge; or first let me rectify my own words and the actions. Remember, you will never get that opportunity. Never think of putting off this work till tomorrow; never say let me do this job first and then I shall do that laterthat stage will never be reached.
Guidelines for Managers
126
Save yourself from the Cancer of Disappointment; it is the most common disease in these days. Plan meticulously well and in the best way to excel in this world but God has the right over your wisdom- that was blessed by Him. If you face a retreat, an embarrassment, people do not agree or do not support you, then try to find out its causes to rectify as it falls within the ambit of religious responsibility. The most wanted goals are to attract or gather more people in no time, with a quick success to make the religion dominating, but as an individual you should have a single aim to fulfill and be a deserving case for the heaven; as there should be nothing more dearer to you than this objective. Along with the struggle in the way of God, keep your heart filled with the ambition to become a Martyr; until then, keep your share in tact for yet another level of a martyr, i.e. by spending in His way, with your actions, by inviting others, by a speech, address or writing. 7.34
Joining a group to struggle in the path of God, therefore, is unavoidable; may it be to reform and train oneself or the steadfastness in the religion which can best be achieved through a Group (Jamaat)-life. Neither abandon a group-life nor its principles and modalities which not only strengthen the group but you also gain a lot from it. To count a few of its advantages; adherence to the aim, reuniting the humans and to remain united with them, listening and obeying, the restrictions and modalities, the principles of consultations, punctuality, discharging the duties, advising and wishing well for others are few of its products.